President Donald Trump has just green-lit a shadowy CIA operation to turn up the heat on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro regime.
Newsmax reported that from covert planning to military posturing in the Caribbean, Trump’s multi-pronged strategy involves clandestine actions, naval deployments, back-channel talks, and even labeling a Venezuelan cartel as a terrorist outfit, all while keeping his final intentions under wraps.
This all started with Trump authorizing the CIA to brainstorm covert operations aimed at pressuring Maduro’s government.
These aren’t just idle plans; they’re described as “battlefield-shaping” measures, hinting at serious disruption. Think sabotage, cyber warfare, and psychological tactics—tools to unsettle without boots on the ground.
Importantly, Trump has made it clear that U.S. combat troops won’t be deployed in Venezuela—at least not yet. That restraint shows a calculated approach, focusing on covert influence over outright invasion. Still, one wonders how long that line will hold with tensions simmering.
Last week, Trump huddled with advisors in two Situation Room meetings to weigh his options on Venezuela. The CIA’s covert proposals are likely the first step, with any direct military strikes penciled in as a later resort. It’s a chess game, and Trump’s playing the long opening.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy has flexed its muscle by positioning the USS Gerald R. Ford, the nation’s largest aircraft carrier, in the Caribbean under Operation Southern Spear.
This is no small gesture—it’s the biggest military buildup in the region since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Maduro must be feeling the glare of those deck lights.
On the diplomatic front, Trump has initiated back-channel negotiations with Maduro’s camp. Venezuelan officials floated a deal for Maduro to exit power after a two- to three-year delay, but the White House shot it down faster than a clay pigeon. Clearly, patience for drawn-out timelines isn’t on the table.
Maduro also dangled a carrot—access to Venezuela’s massive oil reserves for American energy firms as part of a potential agreement. The White House hasn’t bitten, showing a rare restraint when it comes to oil wealth. Perhaps Trump’s holding out for a better hand.
Publicly, Trump keeps his cards close, saying, “Maybe underway,” when pressed on Sunday about discussions with Venezuela.
That cryptic nod to secret talks is vintage Trump—acknowledge just enough to keep everyone guessing. But let’s be real: vague hints don’t ease the uncertainty for Americans watching this unfold.
Trump’s also hammering drug trafficking concerns, citing fentanyl as the driver behind 21 U.S. attacks on boats suspected of smuggling, which killed at least 83 people.
Yet, Pentagon officials privately admitted to Congress the cargo was cocaine, not fentanyl—a discrepancy that raises eyebrows. Without congressional approval, these strikes have Democrats and legal experts crying foul over unchecked power.
Adding to the pressure, the State Department will soon designate the Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization, a move set for November 24, 2025. This label could tag parts of Maduro’s regime as terror-linked, potentially unlocking broader military options. It’s a legal sledgehammer, and Trump’s not shy about swinging it.
The Pentagon, meanwhile, has drawn up strike lists targeting Venezuelan drug facilities and military units loyal to Maduro. These plans signal that if covert ops don’t cut it, firepower is on deck. It’s a stark reminder that words alone won’t dislodge an entrenched regime.
Speaking on Monday, Trump mused, “I don’t rule out anything,” when asked about ground forces in Venezuela. That’s a loaded statement—flexibility can be a strength, but it also leaves allies and adversaries alike guessing about the endgame. For a nation weary of foreign entanglements, such openness feels like a tightrope walk.